289HP Questions

[SFM6S087]

First – I'm getting caught up on watching some auctions that I recorded. Just saw a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente being presented as all original except for 1 repaint. With 289hp and automatic transmission.

Would the 289hp have been available with auto trans for 1964 in Mercurys?

Second – When looking at Wikipedia for 289hp's they have the following in the GT350 section:

The HiPo engine was used in modified form by Carroll Shelby for the 1965–1967 Shelby GT350, raising rated power to 306 bhp (310 PS; 228 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 329 lb⋅ft (446 N⋅m) at 4,200 rpm of torque, through use of special exhaust headers, an aluminum intake manifold, and a larger 4-barrel Holley 715 CFM carburetor.[5][6] The Shelby engine also had a larger oil pan with baffles to reduce oil starvation in hard cornering. Shelby also replaced the internal front press-in oil gallery plugs with a screw-in type plug to reduce chances of failure.

I've never heard about the oil gallery plugs before. Is that true, or just more Wiki-crap?

Steve

[6s2020]

Screw in oil plugs.

It was done on R-Model engines and other race prepped engines from Shelby , not on standard Hi-Po motor.

[camp upshur]

A Mercury K code is a 289/210hp whereas a Ford K code is a 289/271hp.

Here is my engine block:

[6s2055]

Thought the Ford 289 hi po option was 271 HP, but Shelby took that engine to 306 HP +/-. Then again at 74 memory is slipping!